The New York Times News Service
LOS ANGELES closed 10 miles of streets April 15 for the fourth CicLAvia bicycle event.

Did you know more Syracusans ride bicycles to work than counterparts in any city in New York state?

According to the American Community Survey, 1.1 percent of Syracuse residents are bicycle commuters, compared with a national average of just 0.53 percent. That’s still not a very large number — and of course, it’s seasonal. Speaking of which, the season is upon us. May was National Bike Month, and May 18 was Bike to Work Day, sponsored by Syracuse’s cool booster group, SyracuseFirst.

“May 18 ended up being a perfect day for Bike to Work Day,” noted Jamie White on the SyracuseFirst blog. “Although, I think it must be noted that mid-May weather in Central New York may be as close to perfect as there is.”

This summer, New York City is due to join 200 other cities around the world with “bike share” programs. For less than $10 you’ll be able to grab a bicycle from one of 420 “stations” for short rides around the city. Eventually more than 10,000 bikes are to be in play.

London’s program has 20,000 bikes. There are protected bike lanes in Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Vancouver. In Bogota, Colombia, bike use has quintupled as bicycle paths proliferated.

New York city has 280 miles of bike lanes — including one along the Hudson River that sounds dreamy. Bicycle culture has come to Camden, N.J., of all places, with a bike-share program due this summer, a county trail network, bike-repair clinics and safety sessions.

Bicycling also is catching on in Los Angeles. No kidding: On a balmy April morning, downtown streets were reserved for nearly 100,000 cyclists. The region boasts 350 miles of bike trails, and last year embarked on a 30-year project to build 1,350 more miles of pathways, dedicated lanes and streets. A bike path runs along the beach in Venice and Santa Monica. There are organized bike rides — including the ever-popular nude rides — and police have blocked off Wilshire Boulevard on occasion.

Syracuse’s new Sustainability Plan aims to expand the network of “Complete Streets” that accommodate bicyclists “on an equal basis with cars.” It notes Syracuse is building new bike lanes and boulevards. “If you live within a reasonable distance of your job, consider bicycling to work when the weather allows,” it suggests. It also reminds cyclists that Centro buses are equipped with bike racks in case you need a lift. Oh, and one more thing: “Make sure you wear a good-fitting helmet whenever you ride your bike.”

There is also a “Syracuse Bike Plan,” in the works since 2008, thanks to transportation planner Paul Mercurio. It includes maps of proposed and actual routes in a city-wide “bike network” including East Onondaga Street, James Street and North Salina Street. City sustainability chief Andy Maxwell says he hopes to have a plan ready for final review this summer, and invites all those interested to check out the draft plan on the city’s website.

It still sounds like New York City, Camden, even Los Angeles are ahead of Syracuse with programs in place to increase bicycle use. In Madison, Wis., and Portland, Ore., 6 percent of the population cycles to work; in Cambridge, Mass., 6.8 percent of workers are bicycle commuters. Syracuse, it’s catch-up time!